Key Takeaways
- Exercise science includes studying physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition to improve health and performance.
- Popular specializations include sports nutrition, biomechanics, and rehabilitation sciences.
- Important certifications include Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Registered Dietitian (RD), and Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP).
- Specializations and certifications can lead to better job prospects, knowledge, and professional development.
- Accredited exercise science programs and emerging trends like technology integration and virtual coaching offer future opportunities.
What is Exercise Science?
Exercise science includes the study of physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and nutrition to understand how exercise can be used to improve health and performance. You will join the health and fitness industry as a new graduate in exercise science, where you can advance professionally in the field.
However, interested candidates have many choices, but selecting the best specialization and certification is important for having an excellent career.
Part 1: Greatest Exercise Science Concentrations
Amidst an expansive landscape of exercise science, we will take a look at some specializations that tend to lend themselves toward higher demand and relevancy in the present-day industry. These areas include sports nutrition, biomechanics, and rehabilitation sciences.
Sports Nutrition: With an increased emphasis on nutrition playing a huge role in athletic performance and overall health, this line of work is expected to be part of hot jobs. Sports nutrition is a niche in particular, which means you would have to also learn about how athletes eat (different needs here) and create meal plans/ways for them to consume the nutrients they need/access the potential strength of their food to get better at their respective sports.
Biomechanics: the science that studies mechanical aspects of human movement and how forces, torques, and velocities affect physical performance and injury risk Biomechanicians are experts in the analysis of gait mechanics, movement patterns, and intervention techniques designed to enhance utility while reducing risk of sports-related injuries across various populations.
Rehabilitation Sciences: This has led to increased demand for professionals in the rehabilitation sciences sector as well. It focuses on the biomechanics that lead to injury, building a rehab program suited to the individual needs of your clients, and supporting them through their recovery process until they are performing at 100% again.
Part 2: Exercise Science Certification Programs
The use of certification programs is a significant credential in the exercise science field to achieve some semblance of credibility and competence within these fields. They are structured programs that have a process to guide and assess professionals in how they know and can do.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS): The CSCS, offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, is the gold standard certification for strength and conditioning specialists. It includes exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and program design as well as working with athletes and clients of all ages and fitness levels.
Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): To become an RD, you will need to complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics and a supervised internship and pass a national examination. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDs/RDNs) are uniquely skilled food and nutrition experts who provide evidence-based guidance to patients in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention and enhancement, performance improvement, and medical management.
Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP): A researchable certificate provided by the American College of Sports Medicine, particularly for those who provide health and physical fitness interactive services to people with chronic or clinical illnesses. This book — Exercise Testing and Prescription for Special Populations: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Practice does this by addressing exercise prescription, and clinical exercise testing after which risk stratification, providing the tools needed to develop as well as implement safe and effective physical activity programs in people with chronic diseases or medical hospitalizations.
Part 3: Top Certifications for Fitness Professionals
Exercise professionals should have the best certifications relevant to their career ambitions and interest in the field. So here are some of the certifications that can be very useful to your career.
Personal Trainer Certification: Best for those who want to work with clients one-on-one to make positive change in their health and fitness. Organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) provide certifications that have a more thorough education in exercise programming, coaching skills, and client management.
Group Fitness Instructor Certification: Designed for those who are itching to lead group exercise classes in gyms, studios and community centers. While a certification from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) or the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) would focus on how to instruct activities, design experience programs and implement motivational strategies.
Health Coach Certification: This certification is designed for professionals who want to help clients with sustainable lifestyle changes that go beyond exercise. National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and International Consortium for Health & Wellness Coaching (ICHWC) focus more broadly on behavior change, motivational interviewing, and holistic wellness principles
Part 4: Career Ascenting Exercise Science Certifications
It is evidenced that some certifications can enhance job opportunities and earnings potential for exercise professionals. Examples include:
Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CCEP): [certification designed for professionals working in clinical settings, e.g., hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation and outpatient clinics] CCEPs are taught to perform “Functional Fitness Assessments”, essentially a series of flat-screen tests and screens which have been shown to be the most consistent indicators of functional decline or improvement over time compared with normal physical performance. Personalized exercise prescriptions can then be developed, along with ongoing monitoring in clients with complicated medical issues.
Certified Orthopedic Exercise Specialist (COES): A certification for fitness professionals specifically designed as a musculoskeletal health and rehabilitation designation. They are the professionals who understand how to conduct a thorough movement assessment, and design correct exercise programming in order to rehabilitate and stay out of re-injured.
Part 5: Specialty in Exercise Science Benefits
A specialization in Exercise Science is a great way to improve job prospects, knowledge as well as professional development. Hear from fitness pros themselves about how specializations have impacted their careers—true stories directly from the field:
Why did you decide to focus on sports nutrition as an RD?
“My performance was directly affected by what I ate during a 4-hour soccer game and this is the moment where everything clicked. I went on to become a certified sports nutritionist, this not only added clients to my business but also helped me provide better care and guidance for athletes looking to reach that full potential.”
“My interest in biomechanics goes back to a sports injury that laid me up for months. Taking my biomechanics certification allows me to understand the mechanical breakdown of my own injury as well as give complete direction and precaution on preventing injuries in others (if the technique isn’t right, we won’t train it).”
Part 6: Career Opportunities in Exercise Science
Specializations and certifications enable exercise science professionals to pursue a wide range of careers in many different industry sectors. Potential employers include:
- Sports teams and athletics groups
- Corporate wellness programs
- Rehab and PT centers
- Health clubs and gyms
- Research institutions
- Academic settings
This could include anything from being a personal trainer or strength coach, to a nutritionist or exercise physiologist; all of which bring their own skill set and knowledge.
Part 7: Accredited Exercise Science Programs
It is always better to choose the programs which are accredited for both specializations as well as certifications so that you get a quality education and professional recognition. Some popular accredited exercise science programs include:
- Ashland University
- University of Kansas
- Florida Southern College
- University of North Dakota
Part 8: Specializations in Exercise Science Worth Pursuing
Emerging or less commonly chosen specializations offer substantial career opportunities for forward-thinking professionals. Future trends in the exercise science field, such as the integration of technology in training and rehabilitation or the rise of telehealth and virtual coaching platforms, may influence the value of these specializations. Examples include:
- Exercise psychology and behavior change coaching
- Virtual reality/augmented reality fitness training
- Environmental physiology and altitude training
Conclusion
Choosing the right specialization and certification is pivotal for a successful career in exercise science. Whether you’re passionate about sports nutrition, biomechanics, rehabilitation sciences, or emerging trends in the field, continuous education and certification will empower you to stand out in a competitive job market and make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of others.
Take Action Now!
To further explore and decide on your specialization and certification paths, consider taking the following actions:
- Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars in your area of interest
- Speak with other professionals who have pursued your desired path
- Go to open houses for prospective schools or educational institutions
Best of luck on your journey!